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Alabama Basketball 2017 Preview: True Test vs. Arizona

By Brandon Nickel

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 09: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 9, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 09: Avery Johnson the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gives instructions to his team against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second round of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 9, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Alabama basketball will have its hands full tonight when the team makes a stop on the road in Arizona to play the heavily favored Wildcats.

For the first time in 28 years, Alabama basketball will face Arizona in the desert. Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson leads his team into PAC-12 territory, tonight. Alabama basketball needs a win, or a very strong showing at least, to keep themselves believing that they are actually for real.

ICYMI: Tide football hits the books like they hit their enemies – hard!

The Wildcats are annual contenders during March Madness, but they may be ripe for an Alabama upset. While the Tide have flirted with the college ranking polls this season, Arizona currently finds itself on the outside of the AP Top 25 ranks. Both teams will be looking to find a win and secure a spot on the list after tonight’s game.

It will be tough for Alabama, though. ESPN has Arizona as 86.1% favorites to win the game.

Alabama’s injuries have started to heal enough for players to come back, but the same can be said for the Wildcats. Forward Rawle Alkins could make a possible return for Arizona while Alabama may see the return of Braxton Key.

Arizona was ranked as high as second in the nation until they were exposed for three losses. However, a close victory against a strong Texas A&M team showed the Wildcats to have true grit when they need it. Alabama, on the other hand, have to stop coughing up the ball like they have in recent games if they want to challenge the top teams.

Wildcats junior guard Allonzo Trier is their top scorer, averaging 22 points per game, but they will also need him to be their best defender against Alabama’s freshman star guard Collin Sexton (20.8 PPG). With fellow freshman guard John Petty and sophomore forward Dazon Ingram also able to light up the rim, Arizona may need help from their bench to defend Alabama’s scoring attack.

If they can’t, Trier may spend too much energy trying to stop the Tide defensively, instead of getting buckets like he’s supposed to do.

Game Info:

University of Alabama Crimson Tide (7-2) vs. Arizona Wildcats (6-3) 

Date: Saturday, December 9th, 2017

Time:  9:00 p.m. Central Time

Location: McKale Center, Tucson, Arizona

Stadium Capacity: 14 644

  • Television Information:  ESPN2
  • Television Announcers:  Play-By-Play: Dave Pasch, Analyst: Sean Farnham
  • Radio Info: Crimson Tide Sports Network; Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Analyst: Bryan Passink  CTSM on: Sirius/XM Channels 136/197
  • Vegas Odds: (via SBRpicks.com): Alabama +7.5 / Arizona -7.5

Via RollTide.com

“Alabama is receiving votes to be ranked nationally in the latest Associated Press and USA Today/Coaches Top-25 polls, which were both released on Monday afternoon. The Tide received 21 votes in the AP poll and is ranked No. 32 in the nation, while UA received six votes and is No. 40 in the nation in the Coaches poll.”

See More: Alabama Game Notes

Projected Starters (via Tuscon.com):

Alabama

  • Freshman Guard – #2 Collin Sexton
  • Freshman Guard – #23 John Petty
  • Sophomore Forward – #12 Dazon Ingram
  • Senior Forward – #1 Riley Norris
  • Junior Center – #0 Donta Hall

Arizona

  • Senior Guard – #0 Parker Jackson-Cartwright
  • Junior Guard – #35 Allonzo Trier
  • Freshman Guard – #5 Brandon Randolph
  • Freshman Forward – #13 Deandre Ayton
  • Senior Center – #14 Dusan Ristic

Next Up For The Tide:

Alabama basketball has two neutral-site games against Mercer (Dec. 19th) and Texas (Dec. 22) before the holidays begin. If Alabama wants to be taken seriously in the college basketball national poll rankings, these three games will be vital. Even if they lose one or all of them, they must look as competitive as they have been so far this season.

Next: It Begins As DC Pruitt Recruits For Vols

It will be a tough test tonight, but Alabama has shown resiliency. Can they do it against a big program like Arizona? Check back with BamaHammer.com for more Crimson Tide basketball news.

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